Sunday, May 30, 2010

This 1980's LA-based power pop/rock n' roll quartet was, in some respects, an unusual outfit. Led by ex-Nerves Peter Case (white guy, singer/songwriter), The Plimsouls (Brit term for "sneakers") consisted of two Southern Californian Chicanos, guitarist Eddie Munoz and drummer Lou Ramirez, and a Samoan-American bassist Dave Pahoa. Aside the ethnic distinctions, The Plimsouls rocked, often exposing its young audience (with me as one of them) to a number of cool '60's covers, such as Thee Midnighters' "Jump Jive & Harmonize" and The Kinks' "Come On Now." A Halloween 1981 concert recording made at LA's Whiskey-A-Go-Go, which was just released, captures The Plimsouls at a high point, with the band seriously ripping it up (especially Munoz on blistering lead guitar). Any 'Souls fan, either past or present, should grab this great record, Live! Beg, Borrow & Steal, excellently mastered (and previously unreleased, including members of The Fleshtones as special guests). BOY WONDER'S HOT CIRCLES/ 9:00-11:00 PM